2 Weeks In Paradise

Well for some it’s paradise. As a tourist Barbados is the best place I have ever been. The weather is gorgeous, the people are friendly, and the beaches are amazing. If you are here for a week and have the money to spend you can do pretty much anything you can think of. From a leisurely sail to wild surfing, as a tourist you can do anything.

As a local it’s pretty much paradise too, except for the fact that you have to live with high prices for everything. (US$1.07 a liter for gas, ya there are about 4 liters in a gallon, crazy when the average builder makes US$37.50 a day.) Locals have the benefit of knowing all the good spots to go, and getting great prices on the cool stuff like sailing and so on. As with every island there is a local prices and a tourist price for almost everything except food and gas.

Now you might think since I am currently living here that I am a local. Well that is where you are wrong. There are three main classifications of people that I have decided are on the island. These classifications are not necessarily dependent on wealth, but more your address. On Barbados, it being paradise and metropolitan at the same time, there are tourists, locals, and what I am, a visitor/guest.

V/Gs are in a strange spot because they don’t want to be a tourist but will never really be a local, despite the reassurance that they are “becoming Bajans” A Bajan is a Bajan by birth, and you can never really become one. Bajan, if you couldn’t tell is what locals call themselves. Bajan isn’t just who you are, or how you talk, it’s a lifestyle. No matter how long you live here I don’t think that you could ever effectively live a true Bajan life.

So what that leaves me with is the V/Gs for my time here. Of course there is a downside to hanging out with temporary residents. These people are only here as long as work keeps them here, just like me. Of course that means that the three people that I have become friendly with already have their tickets out of here.

This rambling, as crazy as it is does have a point somewhere. I guess the main point is that while I love being a visitor I feel bad in a way that I will never really be a part of the culture. Maybe I’m all wrong and it will take time, like everything else here. Who knows, I mean I did already figure out the bus system, so I’m on my way I guess.

On a final note about this stuff, the other point that you may have missed is that Barbados is an amazing place to visit. There is plenty to see. I have come 5 times, this being my 6^th, and I’m still seeing new things, and finding new things. It’s a great place and if you ever get a chance I highly recommend it. Now truthfully a good portion of you that are reading this have probably been, or are in the process of getting a ticket to come here. This note wasn’t for you. It’s for anyone that has not put Barbados on their places to go list.

For anyone that I haven’t talked to at all I will tell you that I’m doing great here. I am loving it, despite my earlier ramblings. There are some things that are not as I would have hoped, but these things happen…it’s Barbados.

Lessons in Bajan Culture

As requested by Nick I will occasionally add new insights into the Bajan culture (well at least the ones that I know.)

- Never pass a person without saying hi (or “ya…alright” or “alright alright” or “good evening” (that’s a big one) )

Note: This only applies when you are anywhere outside of Bridgetown (or “Town” as everyone knows it. If you’re in Town and you say hi people will think you are crazy.

- Be friendly as much as possible and share with others. Even if you do not have much giving something is better than nothing. The strong culture of giving is something that is a key piece of Bajan life.

- If you are going to cook something, make sure you cook a ton of food. Apparently everyone eats huge portions here. Everywhere I go they give the biggest portions, but it’s all good healthy food, not like biggie sizing or anything.

1st Pics from Barbados

Early morning Boston - see you in 4 months



Some nice clouds that greeted me to Barbados


Kensington Oval-The place I'll be working


Welcome to Barbados!


Here's the house. My Apt. is in the basement, just walk to the right of the house.


Here's a pic of the kitchen and eating part of my apt. I'll have the other parts later.

Trip- Part II

Ok so here is part II of my running diary of my trip. It's outdated..about a week and a half now, but hey it needs to be posted.

9:23AM NYC [JFK]

So as Iook around the gate area for my flight I notice that it's filled with college kids. More swimmers apparently. Weird to think that i will be flying down on spring break air today.

Well I'm still going business class and that's just exciting. No I don't think I'm better than anyone, just more comfortable than the swimmers.

9:30AM NYC [JFK]

Boarding time.

12:15 PM <Barbados time>Flying

I'm eating warm nuts [almonds and cashews] and drinking ice water out of a real glass. I'm also miles away from the guy sitting next to me. now that I know what it's like up here can I ever go back?

Ya, probably. As nice as this all is I have a real sense that I don't belong. And you know what I said about not being bett just more comfortable....I think I'm alone on that thought up here. Oh well, it's still nice, and man is the food good.

One thing I can say for sure though is that it's much quieter up front, a nice feature for a guy that hates constant sounds [fans, air conditioning, etc.]

I'm also spending my time exploring my new camera to figure out all the options. I'm intent on getting some great pictures on this trip. Barbados is a beautiful island, so I'm boud to see something amazing.

2:15 PM <Barbados time>Flying

After a short nap I woke up and realized that I'm about an hour and a half away from Barbados. I'm almost there and I honestly can't wait....all my nervousness is gone and I'm just looking forward to getting off this plane.

3:35 PM <Barbados time>Flying

• Invinceable, not a bad movie.
• The clouds over the Carribbean are amazing.

3:40 PM <Barbados time>Flying

3 miles away...kinda unbelieveable really.

3:57 Barbados

Landed

4:25 Barbados

Through immigration

Barbados 1st post

Ok so here's the situation. There was a little miscommunication regarding my internet access at my new home for the next 4 months. For now I have none at my place and all I can do is write from work. Of course that means writing when I have time which is at the end of the day when I'm dead. So for now there is not much I'm going to write about. But I will say my 5 days on the island have been filled with adventures. From landscaping with my "landlord", to playing cricket with 5 and 6 yr olds, to going sailing with a boat of people from all over the world that were at least a decade older than me, to getting a guided tour of one of the most famous cricket grounds in the world, I would say that I have had a great 5 days.

Work consists of meetings, meetings, and more meetings, but that is the life of event managers. I will have pictures and better posts coming, but for now this is all I can do. Hope you enjoy it, the little that it is.

Trip- Part I

5:45AM Boston

Well I'm at the gate and nothing too exciting going on except for the Holy Cross swim team hanging out . There on their way to Barbados too, which is cool, but weird if you ask me. * SIDENOTE: One girl appears to be from saaandwich.*

Oh and for the record I'm writing this on my handheld thing. You know, it's not as cool as I had hoped. Anyway here I am.

New rule: anything I write has to go in "The Book", no editing.

5:55 AM Boston

Boarding time.

6:05AM Boston

Seat 1A...It might sound stupid but this is strangely close to the front. Hey, I guess someone's gotta sit here right? I hope you enjoy the views from my seat.

6:10AM Boston

The plane's leaking fuel so we get off and go to another gate...well it's getting interesting at least. Oh and sorry, no pics of the first seat.

6:25AM Boston

Ah, the wonderful feeling of cold leather on a chilled plane. Plane 2 isn't warmed up yet, but at least it holds it's fuel.

7:00 AM Flying

Just passed the Cape and The Islands. There is a beautiful sunrise that cannot be done justice, even by my nice new camera *thanks ginger* The plane window just ruins the lighting.

As I'm flying over miles of coastline I'm thinking about how much i love the ocean and have alwats wanted to live on the coast. I guess the next 4 months is my chance. I'm excited to get there and just see what life there is really like.

Next stop is NYC [JFK] and my quest to find internet...if i have enough time that is.

8:00 AM NYC [JFK]

I don't know if everyone will agree but landing at JFK and going over Long Island to do it is just cool.

My thoughts on JFK are that it's a nice airport and at the moment is not too crowded. Plus the omelets at this restaurant in the terminal are great.

Next stop is an attempt to get this up before I take off for Barbados. Let's see how that goes.

8:56 AM NYC [JFK]

Ok so finally I found internet (for a fee but it’s worth it.) After asking a guy about the internet here and finding you can get on for a fee I went to find a power supply. Well you know how on a trip you always forget something. Ya, I forgot part of my power cord. This computer is the only link I have to home for the next four months and I was faced with the possibility of not having it. Understandably I freaked out, looking in every pocket of both bags I have with me. Nothing. And the worst part is I know exactly where the cord is….sitting nicely on my bed at home. Well lucky for me there was a computer store in this terminal and they had a replacement for the part I needed, all is well in the world of Merm at the moment. Good food and helpful in a pinch, I’m telling you terminal 9 at JFK is a great place for me, other than the mysterious problem with my cell phone, but everything can’t be perfect can it.

Ok well I’m getting outta here. Enjoy till later tonight.